At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing, which was held on 27-28 December, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a review of the country’s historic achievements.
Xi’s Address
In his address, Xi spoke of China’s “valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.”
Meanwhile, Premier Li Qiang, who was presiding over the conference, emphasised the importance of “ensuring sound external work under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.”
Underscoring the historic achievements of the government, Li said it had:
1. Established and developed Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and provided the fundamental guideline for advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics;
2. Showcased distinct Chinese characteristics and established the image of a confident, self-reliant, open and inclusive major country with a global vision;
3. Advocated the building of lasting peace and security, and mutual learning between civilizations;
4. Played an increasingly important and constructive role in international affairs;
5. Fostered peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development;
6. Advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and established the world’s most broad-based and largest platform for international cooperation;
7. Worked to pursue development and safeguard security, and effectively uphold China’s sovereignty, security and development interests; and
8. Strengthened the centralised, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and brought about greater coordination in China’s external work.
Further, the Premier stressed it is imperative that China:
1. Advocate the spirit of independence, champion peaceful development, and promote global stability and prosperity;
2. Work progressively for innovation in both theory and practice;
3. Reject all acts of power politics and bullying, and vigorously defend its national interests and dignity; and
4. Ensure that all regions and departments coordinate with each other and build strong synergy.
It was also noted at the conference that “the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation,” and that, “looking ahead, China faces new strategic opportunities in its development.”
Multipolar World
The Asian giant also stressed the need to form “an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.”
It elaborated that an “equal and orderly multipolar world” is one in which “all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations.”
In order to achieve this, “the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognised, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practiced.”
In addition, Beijing underscored the need to achieve universally inclusive economic globalisation, which “meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources.”
“It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all,” it noted.
It was agreed at the conference that China’s external work shall be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.
Against this backdrop, Xi’s stature and his school of thought have often been compared to Mao Zedong’s vision for China.